Befana Urbania 2026 - the national holiday of the Befana

Now in its 29th edition, Befana Urbania returns to the municipality of Urbania in the province of Pesaro and Urbino in the Marche region. This national festival dedicated to the Befana will pay tribute to this symbol of the festive season with three days full of sweets and fun.

Are you ready to discover it with us?

The Feast of the Befana - a much-loved old woman

An old woman with a long nose and pointed chin, whose story derives from early Christian traditions, the Befana is a figure who, on Epiphany, at the end of the Christmas holidays, carries gifts and sweets to all the children of the world on her broomstick. The sweets are placed inside a stocking, the symbol of the festival, but inside, there may also be a punishment for naughty children: they will find only coal waiting for them!

                                                                                       Representation of the Befana on her broomstick

Since 1997, when the festival received widespread media coverage, the town of Urbania has been preparing to transform itself into a veritable toyland, with 4,000 stockings hung in the streets of the town centre, lights and decorations, markets, music and shows. All this is enriched by the presence of the Casa della Befana (House of the Befana), open to welcome young and old alike, next to which is the Befana Postal Office, the ideal place to send letters with good intentions for the new year, creating a unique atmosphere!  

The festival programme

Scheduled for 4 to 6 January 2026, the Festa della Befana, which will be inaugurated in Piazza San Cristoforo with the mayor handing over the keys to the Befana, will once again offer a rich and varied programme this year, including archery workshops, handicraft games, biscuit decorating, listening to stories told by the Befana herself, writing letters, tasting what is on offer at the food stands and watching the Befana descend, ready to bring gifts to all the children.

                                               The mayor hands over the keys to the Befana - image taken from the event's official website

                                                      Girl writing a letter to the Befana - image taken from the event's official website.

All this will be enhanced by the opportunity to hire a costume and join the many Befanas who will be living in the town during these happy days.

To see the full programme, click here, and to see the event map, click here.

Tickets and additional information

The event is open from 10:00 to 18:00 at the following prices:

• Free (children under 10 and residents)
• €8.00 (daily admission)
• €5.00 (admission for groups of 20 people)
• €12.00 (two-day admission)
• €15.00 (three-day admission)

To purchase tickets, click here.

You can reach the event location by car, taking the A14 motorway towards Urbino, by train from Pesaro or Fano stations, by bus or by camper van, using the surrounding car parks.

For more information, click here.

Don't miss the most eagerly awaited Epiphany celebration!

Discover also the Christmas Lights Festival in Taranto!